Indonesian police seize dozens of smuggled sea turtles

Alit Kertaraharja, The Jakarta Post 22 Jul 09;

Buleleng police officers have seized 45 green sea turtles being transported in a truck in Buleleng regency.

The endangered animals, along with truck driver Made Winata, are currently being held at the Buleleng Police headquarters.

Seririt Police in Buleleng regency made the seizure at dawn Saturday, recovering the animals, aged around 10 years old, from the truck with registration number DK 9374 AU.

The truck was stopped on the way from Gerokgak, in the western part of Bali, to Busungbiu in the south.

Winata could not show official documents for the turtles, whose shells averaged 45 by 50 centimeters.

"I didn't know these turtles were being smuggled," Winata said.

"I was just told to take them from Rakyat Pegametan Harbor. I don't know whether they had official documents or not.

"All I know is, an army officer owns these animals."

Buleleng Police say they are waiting for an expert from the Buleleng Natural Resources Conservation Office before they continue the investigation.

"We've asked for a turtle expert to come over and help us, but we've had no one come," said an investigator speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We don't know how to handle these endangered creatures, and meanwhile, they're still considered evidence."

According to the The Jakarta Post's observations, most of the turtles had been left strung up.